pghreader's review against another edition
5.0
This book probably is not for everyone. But, I really enjoyed it. Mark Owen does a great job at "setting the record straight." The epilogue offers a complete explanation for why he decided to write this book after leaving the Navy. I frequently share his opinion that mass media and sometimes the government, distort the story based on a lack of information and the American need for sensationalism.
The book is very well written and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants an insider's view as to what REALLY happened on May 1, 2011.
The book is very well written and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants an insider's view as to what REALLY happened on May 1, 2011.
clintonchanges's review against another edition
3.0
It was fascinating to get the details of this account from an eyewitness, but there was nothing outstanding or special about the way it was told. It felt perfunctory. Hard to believe this particular story could ever be described as boring, but certain stretches were just that. Read the New Yorker summary instead for a more concise, harrowing version.
abrswf's review against another edition
3.0
I found this book very, very interesting for many reasons, not least of which is that it provides a detailed and baldly factual account of the mission that took out OBL. I admit to still feeling huge satisfaction that OBL is dead, so I am sure that is part of the reason I liked the book. Also, I listened to it, and it is well narrated. And I learned a lot about SEAL equipment and training. But . . . I really have to take off stars for our fearless author, who is in reality Matt Bissonnette. I appreciate his bravery, his service to our country, and his loyalty to his fellow SEALs, But he's not a thoughtful or reflective man. He has a bizarre lack of respect for our country's tradition of civilian oversight of the military. The book radiates disrespect for and dislike of and respect for President Obama and Vice President Biden even as it recounts extremely careful planning, excellent intelligence, and full resource support for the SEAL mission -- who does he think arranged all that?
lindasdarby's review against another edition
3.0
The writing in this book was not great but the story was interesting. I finished the book and felt a little sad. I think I can more fully appreciate what these men do for our country after reading this. It is a job with little thanks. Clearly they enjoy what they do but it is also clear that they sacrifice a lot for their jobs. I liked reading about how they finally got Osama Bin Laden but really the most interesting part for me was about how he became a SEAL and how the team operated. I liked learning about how they did missions and their training. The way the goverment was stepping in and making their missions more difficult frustrated me - and how Obama leaked the bin Laden mission was ridiculous. I liked this book.
zenithharpink's review against another edition
3.0
I found this book moderately...everything. It was moderately interesting, moderately detailed, moderately long.... The main remarkable quality of this book was how poorly it was written. I found myself distracted on several occasions by the poor diction and simplistic yet unclear narrative.
I got a first-hand account of the UBL's death, and that's really all that I was looking for, hence the 3-star rating. I was hoping for more, and didn't get it...hence the 3-star rating.
Otherwise, there's not much to say about this book. It serves it purpose.
I would recommend to any looking for a first-hand account of this raid, or perhaps any interested in learning more of the life and times of an elite member of the American military. If neither holds an interest, don't read this book.
I got a first-hand account of the UBL's death, and that's really all that I was looking for, hence the 3-star rating. I was hoping for more, and didn't get it...hence the 3-star rating.
Otherwise, there's not much to say about this book. It serves it purpose.
I would recommend to any looking for a first-hand account of this raid, or perhaps any interested in learning more of the life and times of an elite member of the American military. If neither holds an interest, don't read this book.
masyessam's review against another edition
2.0
Death squad memoir written by a horribly boring writer. "Mark Owen" smelled cash, and wanted mass readability for his recounting of the monumental Bin Laden Raid.
The novel hinted at the real nature of men who train extremely hard to pulverize undergunned militamen, but otherwise it avoided glorifying violence. The problem is, this wasn't replaced by any counter-message, nor was it extremely technical, because of its "secret" nature.
Best part was when "Mark Owen" was genuinely mad he couldn't canoe a POW who wisely tossed his gun, or when he unneccesarily bodyslammed a pirate just to feel good. These honest snippets just left me feeling ripped off, since the jerk really thought he'd make millies getting people across the West or whatever buying his book.
In the end, the Navy seized his money, so he self censored for nothing! 2 stars, screw you "Mark Owen."
The novel hinted at the real nature of men who train extremely hard to pulverize undergunned militamen, but otherwise it avoided glorifying violence. The problem is, this wasn't replaced by any counter-message, nor was it extremely technical, because of its "secret" nature.
Best part was when "Mark Owen" was genuinely mad he couldn't canoe a POW who wisely tossed his gun, or when he unneccesarily bodyslammed a pirate just to feel good. These honest snippets just left me feeling ripped off, since the jerk really thought he'd make millies getting people across the West or whatever buying his book.
In the end, the Navy seized his money, so he self censored for nothing! 2 stars, screw you "Mark Owen."
kami5's review against another edition
4.0
Good because of the author's desire to set the record straight but the rest of the novel is fairly typical of any elite forces recollection. The prose is lacking and the rest of the story is unremarkable.
sabpoe's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Blood, and Gun violence
Minor: Sexism